SEATTLE—The co-founders of the Black Future Co-op Fund, Washington’s first cooperative philanthropy created by and for Black people, today announced that they have selected Senator T’wina Nobles to serve as the organization’s first CEO. Nobles is one of the four founding architects, and currently serves as Washington state senator of the 28th Legislative District.
“Senator Nobles’ career in service and her dedication to our mission assured us that she is the leader we need for our organization,” said Michelle Merriweather, founding architect of the Fund. “We are excited to support her in advancing our vision and strategy.”
Nobles has over two decades experience as a community leader, teacher, and advocate in Washington. As president and CEO of the Tacoma Urban League, she launched the Black Empowerment Center to build African Americans’ economic security, orchestrated the State of Black Tacoma to rally the community around what’s needed to advance social equality, and raised more than $5 million to further the mission. Under Nobles’ leadership, the Tacoma Urban League received the Most Improved Affiliate Award by the National Urban League in 2019.
“Connecting our community for collective power, bringing truth to Black narratives, investing in generational prosperity, and shifting the paradigm of philanthropy is the inspiring work of the Black Future Co-op Fund,” said T’wina. “I’m honored to be appointed to this position, and I’m eager to lead.”
As the Fund enters its third year, it will continue the momentum built over the past two years, which has included seeding over $2.75 million to:
- Invest unrestricted funding to 60 Black-led organizations across the state that are serving their communities through arts, restorative healing, educational innovation, policy development, and more to further Black self-determination;
- Launch a partnership with the UW Foster School Consulting and Business Development Center to strengthen capacity and support Black business owners in obtaining training and certification at no cost to them; and
- Mobilize communities statewide around Washington’s first official Black Philanthropy Month to amplify Black giving.
“This is not a short-term project. It is a movement mitigating hundreds of years of oppression and it requires a leader who can see and hear our people, and bring cohesion to the many amazing efforts happening across our state,” said Angela Jones, founding architect of the Fund. “I trust and know T’wina can move, not just the vision, but the movement forward.”
The recent Black Well-being statewide gathering is evidence of the Fund’s expansion, which drew over 150 watch parties online, and 75 people in person at community spaces in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. The Black-centered event featured artists, luminaries, and local changemakers across Washington who discussed community-identified approaches to education, health, economic mobility, public safety, and civic engagement.
“One of the goals of our Black Well-being initiative is to ensure that its research and analysis mobilizes communities and inspires change,” said Andrea Caupain Sanderson, founding architect of the Fund. “With T’wina at the helm and this framework in hand, we will continue to offer bold solutions and progress for Black Washingtonians.”
Nobles calls on Fund supporters to keep up the momentum, “Let’s connect our vision for Black generational wealth, health, and well-being across Washington state.”
ABOUT THE BLACK FUTURE CO-OP FUND
Created by and for Black Washingtonians, the Black Future Co-op Fund is a new paradigm for philanthropy to ignite Black wealth, health, and well-being over generations. Through intentional investment, the Fund works to connect Black communities for collective power, promote a truthful Black narrative, and uplift Black-led solutions that foster Black generational prosperity. For more, visit: blackfuturewa.org.
